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Original poster

Teachers: What grades did you get in your own A Levels/GCSEs?

87 replies

trinketz · 02/12/2023 22:15

As a school governor at a 'Good' secondary comprehensive school (with well above average results) I'm sometimes involved in interview panels. Most applicants seem to have got very average grades in the subjects they teach and/or lower second class degrees. I guess I find that surprising, and wonder how it impacts their ability to stretch the brightest. If you're a secondary school teacher, did you shine in your subject of choice when you were at school/uni? If not, does it matter? Does it perhaps even make you a better teacher?

OP posts:
Notellinganyone · 03/12/2023 07:29

When we’re recruiting we look at University qualifications most closely. A 2:1 from a good uni would count more than a first from somewhere less prestigious. We currently have many teachers with PhD s and a fair few from Oxbridge. It doesn’t automatically make you a good teacher but without subject knowledge you’d struggle. We’re a very academic school though.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 03/12/2023 07:21

ABB in my A Levels (A in one subject I teach, B in the other). I was predicted 3 As, but got an EE offer from Oxford (which was standard back then), so didn't revise as much as I would have done otherwise! 2:1 from Oxford.

terraced · 03/12/2023 07:19

Mojolostforever · 02/12/2023 22:23

Good grades don't make better teachers. An ability to explain is what makes excellent teachers. Often, very highly qualified people know their own subject so well that they assume all their pupils have a good basic knowledge which isn't always the case.

Nowadays, the ability to deal with disruption so that actual teaching can happen, is a huge advantage.

This

everybluesock · 03/12/2023 07:15

I find it surprising that a governor is wondering why a profession which is full of chronically underpaid and overworked staff doesn't attract those with top grades.
I guess you just can't get the governors nowadays.

fgscat · 03/12/2023 07:13

English teacher to GCSE level (no 6th form where I work; they go to college elsewhere)

A in Language, A* in Literature GCSE
A at A Level
2:1 at degree (bit too much partying to pull it back 😂)

I think I'm a good teacher because I listen and observe and meet kids where they're at, and because I understand the theory of marginal gains, not because I got good grades myself - all my other subjects were good ish/average

SparklingSparkle · 03/12/2023 07:10

A,A,B
1st class degree
I genuinely think someone like you shouldn't be involved in interviewing teachers if you think that results are relevant to an ability to teach.
My husband has a PhD in his chosen subject but when our kids were doing their homework in secondary school he was appalling at helping them with homework in his supposed subject because he just got it and couldn't actually explain it to them.
The same with a very able driver teaching their own child to drive. It's proven that it's better to get a qualified instructor.
As I said before if you don't understand this then you shouldn't be involved in recruitment.

MsGoodenough · 03/12/2023 06:56

I got straight As and went to Cambridge but I'd say that's unusual. As other have said, the best teachers often have very average grades. Teaching is brutally exhausting and stressful for much less pay than academic high flyers can get elsewhere, so it's not going to attract them. This is particularly a problem for subjects like maths and computer science where graduates can really earn the big bucks.

HereBeFuckery · 02/12/2023 22:27

In one of the subjects I teach, A* at GCSE, A at A level, and an S Level.
In the other, I have a PhD.

Mojolostforever · 02/12/2023 22:23

Good grades don't make better teachers. An ability to explain is what makes excellent teachers. Often, very highly qualified people know their own subject so well that they assume all their pupils have a good basic knowledge which isn't always the case.

Nowadays, the ability to deal with disruption so that actual teaching can happen, is a huge advantage.

littlecreeature · 02/12/2023 22:22

Also, I’m SLT and sit on recruitment panels. I judge candidates by their classroom ability and student outcomes rather than their qualifications.

littlecreeature · 02/12/2023 22:19

I got a B at GCSE in the subject I teach. I then went on to get a B at A Level and 2:1 degree in the subject. I guess the thing that matters is that if I was to sit the GCSE or A Level papers now I would get full marks. I’ve taught for 15 years and my results have always been outstanding. I teach a second subject that I have no formal quals in and results outstanding for that too- even at A Level. I am mediocre in my subject in comparison to the rest of the world but I’m a bloody good teacher and I think that’s the most important thing.

countdowntonap · 02/12/2023 22:19

First class degree and masters. Last three people I’ve employed have first class degrees.

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